Plan to halt artificial turf installation questioned

Denise M. Champagne

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 27, 2007 at 1:23 AM

Turf proponents say studies have already been done.

Educators and coaches are beginning to question proposed state legislation that calls for a six-month moratorium on the installation of artificial turf for indoor and outdoor fields in the state pending studies by the departments of Health and Environmental Conservation on potential health hazards.

The New York State School Boards Association is opposed, saying studies have already been done. It issued a formal statement Nov. 13 to members of the Assembly Health Committee, urging them to vote no.

“While the intent of this legislation is laudable, we do not believe a moratorium is warranted at this time,” says the letter from Diane Ward, Governmental Relations representative. “New York need not duplicate the work of other reputable governmental bodies such as Norway, Sweden, New Jersey, California and Connecticut that have examined the health and environmental aspects of this popular playing surface. To date, no state or federal agency has banned, restricted or warned against the use of artificial turf.”

The proposed legislation was introduced Oct. 24 by downstate Democratic Assemblymen Steven Englebright of Setauket and William Colton of Brooklyn. It also calls for an environmental impact statement for any site plans that include installation of artificial turf.

Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton, announced Nov. 12 that he was co-sponsoring the legislation, the same day Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, introduced similar legislation in the state Senate in which he notes limited testing of artificial turf has been done that identified levels of concern of lead, arsenic cadmium, chromium and other contaminants, but that more information was needed in order to make informed decisions.

Jon Hunter, superintendent of Fairport Central Schools, said he has since met with Koon to talk about four aspects of the proposal that he feels are critical:

• That extensive research has already been done and that much of what’s being looked at relates to older turf fields put in between 1996 and 2001, mostly downstate.

• Research standards to compare data have to be consistent.

• Any moratorium imposed would have to be equitable and include other state-funded areas such as playgrounds and community colleges that use rubber crumbs.

• That the bill indicates there would be no local costs, but that it could cost Fairport about $150,000 to $200,000 in potential delays due to redesign work and escalating costs for materials and construction. He said Fairport still plans to open bids in late winter or early spring on a $1 million field project, including bleachers and concessions, that is awaiting review by the state Education Department.

Hunter said he “had a great conversation” with Koon who was going to visit family and planned to the concerns with the downstate lawmakers who presented the proposal.
Judy Braiman, president of Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides, said the crumb rubber tire pieces used as fill on artificial turf fields contains hazardous components known to cause birth defects, cancer, nervous system damage and immune system damage.

She had clean, unused turf samples of five major turf brands tested for heavy metals and toxic chemicals which she said revealed many of the levels matched or exceeded maximum levels allowed by the state in soil at brownfield “hazardous waste” sites.

“The only studies that support Mrs. Braiman’s position are chemical tests on the tire fill stuff,” said Tom VanThof, junior varsity football coach at Penfield Central Schools and president of the Penfield Patriots Sports Booster Club, who is concerned about the proposed moratorium because Penfield plans on installing artificial turf this spring, too. “These chemicals don’t occur naturally.”

He points to a study by J.C. Broderick & Associates of Suffolk County, which tested three Long Island high school fields, that did not reveal the presence of any detectable concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are chemical compounds, some of which are known carcinogens that can lead to health problems.

The study says air testing in and around the field did not reveal any detectable concentrations of PAHs and that exposure to the chemicals through skin contact is unlikely.

Brendan Broderick, in his report, acknowledges some residue from the rubber material could, if it stuck to a child’s hand, be ingested, but that it would leave the body in a matter of days through normal waste and is not expected to be easily absorbed by the body during the digestive process so it wouldn’t be a significant threat. To minimize and eliminate potential exposure, he suggests all players wash their hands and skin after playing on the field, something he says is always a good practice whether playing on a natural or artificial field.

VanThof said the only way the chemicals people are concerned about come out is through an extraction process in a laboratory and that they do not occur naturally. He said the moratorium will only cost school districts’ taxpayers more money through the delay it will cause.

“We haven’t had any problems with our field,” said East Rochester Schools Superintendent Howard Maffucci. “My understanding is that last year someone took some samples from our field, had them tested and there was no issue with any type of contamination on our field.”

He said the project was approved by the state Education Department and all regulations were followed when it was installed.

“We’ve had the field for some time and it’s been a nice addition to our school complex,” Maffucci said. “If there are concerns and people want to do more testing, I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Denise M. Champagne can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 352, or at dchampagne@mpnewspapers.com.

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